I think most people will agree that the FT is normally a pretty reliable source. As is the BBC which has continued to report violent clampdowns and abuses, but hey everyone is perfectly happy to ignore the worlds media.

I think Bahrain should be avoided. There we go. Lak if you dont mind me asking, are you sunni? I am sure some people want the race, I am sure others would rather not have the race. Either way, its bringing F1 into the internal politics of a country which should not happen, in a very blatant way, more so than China etc. Its not the most exciting race on the calendar, the season is dangerously long as it is, why not just leave it for a year. Then see how the ground lies.

It’ll just be that mercedes will have paid for contract to provide the Safety car and doctors car; its another way to advertise their AMG beasts. This year, however, they have not got much screen-time. But if you think back to korea last year when the cars started under a safety car, proceeded to run around the track for a few laps then stopped then it came out again later etc; its great advertising for the company.

And of course the car has to be capable of maintaining a respectable pace, so that the F1 cars can keep some tyre pressure and brake heat etc…

“it seems his personality has improved and his arrogance has disappeared”

I think although you may be right in the sense that he comes across as a little less arrogant, I would say the use of the word disappeared is rather too far. He is still very arrogant, comparing himself to Senna just a few weeks/months ago. (personally I think there was much about senna that you would not want to be compared to but hey…)

Its probably just a result of growing up a little and having to really fight to win for the last few years, which in my mind will make him a better driver in the long term without doubt. Personally I have never thought much of his attitude or personality, but I have always enjoyed watching him drive. He does seem to think he is a bit gangsta…which is a shame.

Its a bit simple, and repetitive (i.e. F1 cars go fast thanks to eighteenth century cannon technology is not quite true. And then saying again and again, wow, that went 25% further, wow, that went so much further, wow, that made such a difference!)

But, the tenuous connections aside its fairly interesting. If I had a child between the age of 8-14 it would probably help make them find engineering exciting, which I guess is its purpose.

to those who thought the race was dull, I do agree…but then if you just had the patience to keep watching, the 125cc GP was amazing, really really very exciting. Go find it on iplayer, it was great to see.

Quite a while ago now, when I was 18-19, I really wanted a tattoo on my upper arm/shoulder…I didn’t get one due to a girlfriend at the time and suffice it to say it was without doubt the best thing she ever stopped me doing! haha.

Personally I think small, amusing ones are best. Put somewhere that you wont be able to see even if wearing shorts and t-shirt. F1 I dont know, it would have to be something timeless and not too geeky/fanboyish. Be careful!

Ok maybe not the most hated man in F1 but one that I would love to see gone! What has he ever done that is positive?

Briatore…

Yes I completely agree, but I still dont see how Alonso managed to escape that whole scandal without a spot of dirt on his greasy cheating overalls…I am joking to some extent but only in a limited way

Vettel…

For crying at the end of 2010 over the radio. And for his radio comments so far this season. Learn some humility, or at least learn not to press the radio button whilst crying!

Montezemolo…

For being a bloody pain the whole time and writing ridiculous posts on the Ferrari website as the ‘horse whisperer’ surely that is enough to get him onto the list, regardless of the tripe he spouts there.

Bernie…

Well he is a corrupt megalomaniac dwarf and although he has done alot for the sport over the years he has had a healthy dose of self interest in there, making a silly amount of money and then continuing to take the sport to venues and countries where it has no place just to make more money, and to the detriment of the sport…

Tabloid Journalists…

they come up with eye catching headlines which generally make little sense and serve little purpose but to irritate me on a regular basis. They are the sum of the new world. I also probably know more about the sport than quite a few of them!

Jonathan Leggard…

Yes I know he has gone but he is one I really did hate, in the full sense of the word, he ruined many many sundays for me. I was over the moon when I heard he had been let go.

also probably many more, but for now that will do…I think this list is rather sad because it show how much the sport irritates us all!

For any of those interested…I have just read a theory on another site which seems very interesting. I am not sure how correct it is, but it seems to make alot of sense, somehow. Its fairly similar to what a few of you have commented above, but a little clearer.

Basically, the Red Bull, as we all know, has a more pronounced rake than the other cars. That is to say, the angle of the floor is steeper than the competitor’s cars. This means that the reference plane, (imaginary by the time it is under the nose) would actually be under the ground when it was level with the front wing. So although the front wing is flexing (and I know that is an entirely separate legal issue) it is still above the reference plane at all times.

Having said that, as most of us have agreed here the flexing of any bodywork is not permitted, and so that is a separate question to the one of the reference plane. But interesting nonetheless.

It will be interesting to see what they do with DRS in monaco…people are saying its necessary to add some overtakes to a track thats notoriously difficult to get past on, whereas I think that actually this year with the tyres taking into the equation, there will be plenty of opportunity for changes of position…